This past week marked the final Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission meeting Nick Wiley presided over. The former executive director for the FWC announced he is retiring from his position after a 30-year career in the agency which began as a wildlife biologist in 1987. Wiley has been announced as the chief conservation officer for Ducks Unlimited and will begin in his new role in January.

Eric Sutton, FWC assistant executive director since May 2013, was appointed by the commission Thursday to succeed Wiley. He received both his bachelor’s and master’s degree in zoology from the University of South Florida. The emphasis of his work was on endangered species population biology and since the 1990s with the FWC has had extensive experience in many phases of land management and species management policy.

As for Wiley, his leadership as executive director the past eight years saw great changes in fish and wildlife management policy. Manatees were downlisted because their numbers have been thriving. Wiley guided the agency through its most controversial decision in years: reopening the black bear hunt in 2015. During his tenure, snook, trout, redfish, permit, bonefish, barracudas and red snapper have all undergone significant changes to their regulations.

As a member of the media, I always found Wiley to be accessible, transparent, professional and genuine. I feel he did a tremendous job overseeing what is in my opinion one of the most challenging states in which to manage fish and wildlife and interaction with an ever-expanding human population. He will be a tremendous asset to the goals and objectives of Ducks Unlimited.

“Nick has been an unstoppable force for Florida’s fish and wildlife resources for over 30 years,” said Brian Yablonski, former FWC chairman. “Quite simply, Nick is a true champion of conservation. I know his dedication to conservation and drive for on-the-ground results will only strengthen such an historic and beloved organization as Ducks Unlimited.”

Good luck.

Ed Killer is the outdoors columnist for Treasure Coast Newspapers and TCPalm.com, and this column reflects his opinion. Friend him on Facebook at Ed Killer, follow him on Twitter @tcpalmekiller or email him at ed.killer@tcpalm.com or call him at 772-221-4201.